RMJ 106 May 31

SATURDAY, MAY 31 ● Houston, vs San Diego

Gerry and I met with Howard today, prior to batting practice; it went well.

Gerry asked if the real Thomas Howard was going to show up this year. He said it with a smile, so it didn’t seem too intimidating. But he went on to say that we thought we were getting a good all-around player, and that what we see instead is a guy who looks like he’s going through the motions — satisfied to play once in a while and mostly pinch-hit. He emphasized that we really need him now, with Bobby out.

Thomas admitted that he was not playing well and was not focused. He said that his failed marriage was a part of it.

“I’ve never been alone before, without my wife and kids,” he said. “And this is a new team and a new city. The guys on the team are great, and I really want to stay here and do well here, but I’m just not comfortable yet.”

I mentioned the weight thing.

“You know, Tank,” I said. “I remember you as a good outfielder and fast baserunner. And I don’t remember you as big as you are now. I’m not saying that you’re fat, but just than you might gain some speed and flexibility if you lose a little weight. I am saying this as much for you as for me.

“We thought about getting Dave Clark, because of his lefthanded bat. But we went for you instead, because of your all-around game. I don’t know if you noticed how late Dave signed with the Cubs, and how little money he got, for a veteran player.

“It’s so important to maintain your skills. If you play lean and mean, you will get a couple more years out of your body, and a couple million more dollars for your retirement. You are not an old player, and you will play a few more years regardless. But you only have one shot at a career, and I want to see you maximize it — whether you are with us, or with someone else.

As I talked, he nodded his head. When I finished, he said he thought he was putting too much pressure on himself; that he just needed to relax and that it would help him to know when he was going to play.

I will try to let him know ahead of time in the future, but I still don’t believe he is really putting too much pressure on himself; I think he is disgruntled because we signed Gonzalez and played Abreu.

When he signed with us, it looked like he would be used in a platoon role at the very least. He probably thought he would get a chance to start most of the games. When we got Gonzo, he probably realized it would be more of the same.

The life of a fourth outfielder in the big leagues is a good one, but every player would prefer to be a starter. I think, knowingly or unknowingly, Tank accepted his fate and lost his vigor — he let himseIf slip slightly out of shape, and he is paying the price.

I also believe him to be an intelligent guy, and I hope he is smart enough to get the message. He’s going to play a lot, now that Bobby is hurt. If he steps it up a bit, we will be fine, and he will maintain his value.

 

I felt good about the meeting. It wasn’t as hard as I thought it might be. But it may get more difficult again shortly.

Gerry is not the most patient guy in the world. Fact is, he is about as patient as …

Yesterday he met a guy who is even more impatient: Chucky Carr. Gerry signed him to a contract and sent him to New Orleans.

Chucky is perhaps the most-unpopular player since Ty Cobb. He has been with seven teams in his eleven-year career; none would take him back. Chucky is one of the fastest players in the game, so he keeps getting chances to clean up his act — an act that features him as the announcer and star performer in his own solo show in center field and at the plate.  

Most players enjoy the spotlight occasionally. Most of them realize, however, that this is a team sport. Chucky hasn’t figured this out yet.

Cubby and Mac were in New York, where the Chucky Tour made a brief stop. Because Gerry was with the Mets then too, they figured he would know better. But Gerry also knows that we aren’t scoring, and one way to win when the offense is weak is to play better defense.  Chucky would instantly improve our defense; he is a terrific centerfielder. His problem is that he has never been able to hit enough to stay in the lineup.

Gerry feels that Chucky has been humbled to the point where he might actually notice that he’s on a team — that he might be able to coexist now, because he doesn’t have much choice.

I would like his speed on my bench. He could come in and steal a base; he could play late-inning defense in the outfield. I would be astonished if he could hit well enough to become an everyday player, though stranger things have happened.

Gerry says it will be ten days to two weeks before we will make a decision.

 

We really had a good crowd tonight: almost 40,000 fans came out to see us try to jump over the Pirates and reclaim first place.

I was ready for the real Shane Reynolds to appear. If the guy I saw pitching tonight is the real Shane, we are in big trouble.

He opened his performance with an 82 MPH fastball, and Cianfrocco doubled down the left field line. Trey Beamon, an outfielder who couldn’t even make the Pirates’ lineup last year, singled to left. Then Finley singled. The inning finally ended when Sterling Hitchcock grounded to third.

Shane’s top velocity was 85 MPH. He normally pitches at 88-89 with his fastball. At that velocity, he can be an All-Star; at 85, he can’t pitch in the major leagues.

To his credit, he kept throwing strikes — and some of the hits were weak — but it was still humiliating, to say the least. Shane is supposed to be the ace of our staff, and he just signed a lucrative four-year deal.

In truth, it is more than humiliating: it’s just plain scary.

 

Bagwell hit another home run tonight. He now leads the league with 17 homers and 52 RBI. This is rather remarkable, considering that he hits third in our lineup, and we have had no production whatsoever from our two-hole hitters. Still, it’s small consolation when you use up your whole bullpen in a 12-5 thrashing.